PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ACUTE TOXICITY OF THE METHANOL EXTRACT OF ALCHORNEA CORDIFOLIA (CHRISTMAS BUSH) LEAVES

ABSTRACT

The methanol extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves was investigated for its phytochemical constituents and acute toxicity in Wistar rats. Extraction was carried out by maceration with methanol for 72 hours. The phytochemical constituents were identified using standard methods. The determination of acute toxicity was done using the modified method of Lorke (1993) and OECD (2001). Saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, eugenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids were present while phenolics and phytosterols were absent in the extract. The acute toxicity analysis showed remarkably low toxicity, with no mortality observed across the varying doses (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg) of the extract. Adverse effects were dose-dependent, with no adverse effects noted at lower doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, and a dose-specific effect (writhing) was observed at the highest dose of 800 mg/kg. The findings of this study revealed that A. cordifolia methanol leaf extract can be considered non-toxic or relatively harmless at the doses tested.